Everything you need to know about the pilgrim's passport and certificate
The credential is much more than a simple travel log: it's your essential passport for walking to Santiago de Compostela. This small booklet serves to prove your status as a pilgrim, to grant access to dedicated accommodations, and upon arrival at the Cathedral of Santiago, to obtain the famous "Compostela," the official diploma of your pilgrimage.
The Pilgrim's Passport: A Historical Legacy
- In the Middle Ages, bishops issued pilgrims a letter of credence, a true pass.
- This document allowed them to avoid paying certain taxes, pass through checkpoints, and obtain hospitality in monasteries and hospices.
- It distinguished genuine pilgrims from vagrants or deserters, thus guaranteeing protection and assistance on the road.
- The modern pilgrim's passport is the direct heir to this tradition of the Camino de Santiago: a symbol of continuity between past and present.
What is the purpose of the pilgrim's passport today?
- Pilgrim's passport: Each stage is validated by a stamp at accommodations, churches, shops, tourist offices, bars, etc.
- Access to accommodations: In Spain, it is mandatory for municipal or association-run hostels (albergue), which are often less expensive than private establishments.
- Obtaining the Compostela: Upon arrival at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, it verifies the entire route you have traveled and allows you to receive the official certificate on the day of your arrival.
- Proof of your journey: This small piece of paper testifies to your pilgrimage, your spiritual or personal commitment.
My tips for the pilgrim passport
- Be aware that the number of spaces is limited: around 40, which sometimes requires you to buy a second passport or add a loose sheet of paper. Personally, I preferred to add a few pages in the center of the booklet beforehand, knowing that my journey would take place over several years :-)
- Always keep the original with you: some accommodations require you to see the official passport upon arrival.
- Price: to obtain the passport, expect to pay between 5 and 10 euros (the easiest way is to order it online).
- Where to get it? From pilgrim associations in France, some dioceses, or tourist offices along the route.
What's the difference between a credential and a passport?
- A credential is a similar document, issued by a representative of the Church after an interview.
- It's not reserved for Christians: anyone can apply for one.
- It has a more spiritual and ecclesiastical dimension, whereas a passport is primarily practical.
A powerful symbol
The pilgrim's credential is not just an administrative document. It embodies the spirit of the pilgrimage: a travel journal that preserves the memory of the stages traveled, the places visited, and the encounters made. Each stamp is a trace of your journey, a small victory for each challenge overcome, and also tangible proof that you now belong to this great community of pilgrims.
Remember: before packing your backpack, don't forget to get this essential document. Your credential will be with you everywhere and will open every door.
The Compostela is the official certificate awarded to pilgrims upon their arrival in Santiago de Compostela. It attests to the journey undertaken and your spiritual or personal path. Historically rooted in medieval tradition, this "certificate" remains today the symbol of the completion of the pilgrimage.
Historical Origins of the Compostela
- The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela originated in the 9th century, following the discovery of the (supposed) relics of the Apostle James in Galicia.
- From the Middle Ages onward, pilgrims received pilgrimage badges, such as the scallop shell, to prove their passage.
- In the 13th century, in response to forgeries, the Church instituted proof cards, the direct ancestors of the Compostela.
- In 1492, Pope Alexander VI finally recognized Compostela as one of the three great pilgrimage sites of Christendom, alongside Rome and Jerusalem.
The Compostela is thus part of a long tradition of official recognition of the pilgrimage.
The Use of the Compostela Today
- This is the official document issued in Spain by the Pilgrims' Office located at 33 Carretas Street, a few meters from the Plaza do Obradoiro and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
- It certifies that the pilgrim has completed the Camino de Santiago as part of a religious, spiritual, or personal quest.
- It is written in Latin and bears the seal of the cathedral.
- It should not be confused with the distance certificate, which indicates the exact number of kilometers traveled. Pilgrims can request this additional document upon arrival in Santiago.
The 100 km Rule
- Walk a minimum of 100 km on foot.
- Or cycle 200 km.
- Present a pilgrim's passport (credencial) stamped at least twice a day on this final section.
This rule aims to ensure that the pilgrimage remains an authentic experience, and not simply a tourist visit. However, the regulations were relaxed in 2025 for obtaining the coveted passport. As the website of the French Society of Friends of Saint James of Compostela explains, the minimum distances remain the same, but the section covered can be more flexible. Previously, the 100 or 200 km had to be completed just before arriving in Santiago de Compostela. Now, these kilometers can be covered on any section of the Way, as long as the final stage leads to Santiago. However, it's still advisable to check before your departure to verify this information, as it may have changed in the meantime.
Initially, six routes (with their variations) were officially recognized for reaching the Cathedral of Santiago: the French Way (Camino Francés), the Primitive Way (Camino Primitivo), the Northern Way (Camino Norte), the English Way (Camino Inglés), the Via de la Plata, and the Portuguese Way.
To walk the last 100 kilometers :
1- On the Camino Francés, you must start on foot from the town of Sarria (actually located 114 km from Santiago). If you truly want to walk the last 100 kilometers of the French Way, you must begin in Morgade, a small village with no accommodations.
2- On the Camino Norte, the starting point is on foot from the town of Ribadeo on the Atlantic coast.
3- On the Camino Primitivo, the starting point is Lugo.
4. On the Portuguese Way, you start at least in Tui, a Spanish town in the province of Pontevedra in Galicia, or in the Portuguese town of Ponte de Lima.
5. On the English Way (Cammino Inglés), you start in Ferrol.
6. For the Via de la Plata, the starting point is the small town of Ourense.
What steps are required before arrival to obtain the Compostela?
It is now mandatory to pre-register online to avoid long queues, especially during peak season. It is advisable to do this a few days before your arrival in Santiago.
Here are the 4 steps to follow :
1. Online Pre-registration
Go to the official website of the Pilgrims' Office and access the pre-registration form. This process has been mandatory since 2021 to streamline the reception of pilgrims.
2. Filling out the form
You will need to provide:
- Your personal information.
- The starting point of your pilgrimage.
- The means of transport used (on foot, by bicycle, on horseback).
- The reason for your pilgrimage (religious, spiritual, cultural).
3. Receive a QR code
Once the form is validated, you will receive a QR code by email. This code will allow you to finalize your registration on site.
4. Go to the Pilgrim's Office
Upon your arrival in Santiago, go to the Pilgrim's Office (Oficina del Peregrino) with:
- your stamped credential.
- your pre-registration QR code.
5. Finally receive your Compostela
After verification by the reception staff, you will receive the Compostela, an official certificate written in Latin attesting to your pilgrimage. The only remaining additions to your collection will be the "Fisterrana" certificate, if you extend your walk to the ocean at Finisterre, and the "Muxiana" certificate, if you decide to continue even further to the fishing village of Muxia.
In summary: The Compostela is much more than a simple certificate: it is the final seal of a human and spiritual adventure. Heir to medieval practices, it perpetuates a thousand-year-old tradition and reminds us that the journey is as much an inner experience as a voyage through time and space.
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Buen camino !!! Lionel de Compostelle
